Do Olympic boxers wear headguards?
Officials' detail · Gloves, kit and the ring · 2 of 4Checked 14 October 2026
Elite men do not wear headguards: the rules forbid them. Elite women and all under-19 and under-17 boxers must wear one, red or blue to match their corner. A headguard weighs at most 450 grams and goes on only once the boxer is in the ring.
How it works
| Category | Headguard |
|---|---|
| Elite men | Not allowed |
| Elite women | Compulsory |
| Under-19 and under-17, boys and girls | Compulsory |
- Put on only after entering the ring, and removed straight after the bout, before the decision.
- Maximum weight 450 g; padding at least 2 to 3 cm thick; Velcro closure; four sizes.
- Long hair must be secured and may not stick out of the headguard by more than 5 cm.
Tricky cases
Why do women wear headguards when men do not?
The rule book does not explain it. It requires them for elite women and forbids them for elite men.
Can an elite man choose to wear one?
No. In elite men's competitions a boxer must not wear a headguard.
Why the rule exists
The rules do not give a reason for treating elite men differently from everyone else.
Where it differs
| Where | What changes | Source |
|---|---|---|
| World Boxing rules | As above | WB 13.3 |
| Professional boxing | No headguards | C |
From the rule book
World Boxing Competition Rules, Rule 13.3. Approved November 2024. Checked 14 October 2026. Official document: World Boxing Competition Rules (PDF).